Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Dental implant can be faster and cheaper

A new material created by researchers at the Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (ICB / UFMG) may shorten the recovery time of dental implants in people who have had bone loss.

Using carbon nanotubes and hyaluronic acid, the researchers came up with a new material that can reduce the three months to six weeks healing time. After trying unsuccessfully to use acid separately, they decided to coat the titanium implants used in carbon nanotubes associated with hyaluronic acid.

"Titanium is actually a support, is a kind of steel that connects two parts. In our experiment, and unite end to end, we promote healing. What is the biological effect is hyaluronic acid. We created a new material mixing the nanotube and acid alone degrades very quickly in contact with saliva and blood, "explains lead author, Joseph Anderson Ferreira, Department of Morphology of the ICB.

In addition to reducing the healing time, carbon nanotubes should also reduce the costs of the procedure.

According to Ferreira, the nanotube is an expensive material, but the amount used in the procedures is very small, which makes it viable. "Our expectation is that the price drop further with the implementation of the Technology Center of UFMG Nanotubes" he says.

During the experiment, the researchers also ended up developing new uses for an old material. "The nanotube is presented in the form of a gel, which makes it very unstable in an oral environment. With the carbon nanotube, we put the material into a bar shape, sponge and powder. This eases the way of use, increasing the biological characteristic of the substance to promote healing, "he says.

Now researchers coordinated by Anderson Ferreira already working to multiply the use of carbon nanotubes "functionalized" with hyaluronic acid for bone defects larger and more complex. "When you extract a tooth is a cavity formed bone, but this is a small defect. We want to explore major defects. In brief, studies will be made using